People’s Bank of China reports 4.8% loan growth as property and household lending contract

The People’s Bank of China published lending statistics showing that financial institutions’ yuan loans rose 4.8% year over year to CNY 283.44 trillion at the end of the third quarter of 2026. Loans increased by CNY 11.52 trillion during the first nine months. Lending to enterprises expanded, with growth in technology and green lending, while property and household loan balances contracted. Domestic and foreign currency loans to enterprises and public institutions increased 8.0% year over year to CNY 198.95 trillion. Green loans on the same currency basis grew 13.0% to CNY 49.22 trillion. Loans to small and medium technology enterprises rose 20.1% to CNY 4.27 trillion, while those to high technology enterprises increased 17.2% to CNY 22.09 trillion. Inclusive yuan loans to small and micro businesses grew 6.7% to CNY 38.50 trillion. Yuan property loans fell 5.2% year over year to CNY 50.08 trillion, declining by CNY 1.90 trillion during the first nine months. Property development loans contracted 9.1%, while individual housing loans fell 4.1%. Total household loans in domestic and foreign currencies declined 2.0% to CNY 82.25 trillion. Within household lending, consumer loans excluding housing mortgages fell 2.8%, while loans for business operations increased 1.7%.